In Buddhism,Dana (the practice of giving) is put forward as a means to eliminate greed.
Here is a short story: in ancient times, there was a famer plowing his field at home. Accidentally he plowed up a golden Arhat statue, totally weighing tens of jin(1 jin equals 0.5 kilogram). His families, relatives and neighbors were very happy for him, saying he would no longer have to worry about his living for this life or endure hardships.
However the farmer looked upset and something seemed to be bothering him day and night.
Everyone was bewidered and kept on asking why he was upset. Finally he spoke up and said ,“I've been thingking there should be eighteen Arhats, but I only found one. So where are the other seventeen Arhats?”
Hearing this short story, everyone might laugh at the greedy farmer.
If claborating on Buddhist scriptures and reflecting on our own practical experiences, we might as well find Dana itself is not the purpose; the purpose of Dana is to purify the act and the mind. If we only consider Dana as an act of helping people and obtaining a sense of self-fullfillment and inner peace, this kind of Dana is still secular interest.